I was 11 and still in the Philippines when 9/11 happened. It was a school night so I was in my bed getting ready to sleep. My dad had already gone to bed as well and my mom was still in the living room watching her shows. I remember I couldn’t fall asleep that night and suddenly, I heard my mom’s loud voice. She had woken my dad up from sleep it was almost 9 PM and told him what was happening. They sounded like they were in shock so I went out and ran into the living room. I sat in the sofa and was still squinting. When I turned my head on the tv, I saw the smoke on the tower my eyes suddenly opened up and then we saw the second plane hit the other tower live. I didn’t completely understand what was happening and both of my parents were in total shock they started saying it was a terrorist attack. I remember asking my dad if it was an accident. I asked him if the towers are going to collapse… and he just kept on telling me “I don’t know… That was unbelievable…” I then went back to bed and was still thinking about what was going on on the other side of the world. I finally started to fall asleep and heard my mom saying “oh my god.” I went out again and saw that the south tower had already collapsed. I was only 11, but my heart sank. I couldn’t believe that those people that were on those building died. I slept that night thinking about it. I will never forget what happened on the day.

My family and I moved to the US in 2005 and every time we visit New York, I look at the skyline and I feel sad. I always wonder how the skyline looked like when the towers were still there.